Festive table setting is an art that requires adherence to certain rules and knowledge of basic etiquette. The ability to rationally set the table with a clear arrangement of cutlery indicates the taste and level of intelligence of the housewife. We’ll talk about how beautifully and economically you can decorate a holiday table in our article. For clarity, we have selected for you simple but interesting ideas with pictures and photos that will be a good help for you in this interesting and exciting process.
Choosing a tablecloth
First of all, a tablecloth is laid on the table, it would seem that this is already clear, however, this matter has its own subtleties. The tablecloth must be absolutely clean, smoothly ironed, otherwise it will only become an indicator of your untidiness. After you set the table with it, make sure that it is the same length everywhere and does not hang too low, as long edges can cause inconvenience for guests, and they can also be accidentally pulled, which will lead to an unpleasant end. holiday. Too long ends can be secured using fabric snaps, which often have an interesting design.
Also, the tablecloth should not be too short, otherwise it will look as if the girl was wearing a dress several sizes too large. If you don’t have a tablecloth or want to set the table in an unusual way, you can use special large napkins for each person. Please note that these are not the ones that lie on your knees or are used to wipe your mouth, they are much denser in material, they are large in size, since plates, cutlery, and glasses should fit on them.
Festive table setting
How to arrange the plates?
After the tablecloth is laid and the room is completely ready, they begin to set the table. The first thing to do is arrange the plates.
- A serving plate is placed directly on the tablecloth or napkin - it is intended for decoration. When properly set, this table detail serves as a stand for the remaining cups. It should be placed opposite each seat, 2 cm from the edge of the table.
- The next one is chosen according to the first course - a deep soup bowl or a flat snack bar. It is placed on the table on top of the serving table.
- On the left, diagonally at a distance of about 10 cm from the main one, place a pie bowl - for bread or pastries, on top of which a butter knife should be placed.
Important details:
- The dishes should be taken from one set or selected in such a way that the parts fit together.
- During lunch or dinner, you should change the bowls to clean ones that are more suitable at the moment (for the first course, second course, appetizers, dessert).
- The serving rack always remains in place, a new one is placed on it.
- For a family dinner, it is permissible to place two plates on the serving plate at once: flat, then soup.
Serving rules
The next step is to arrange the plates; they are placed on top of each other depending on their size and purpose. Three types are most often used: soup, snack bar, and canteen. They are placed on the tabletop in the reverse order, since the guest will start with soup, then move on to appetizers, simply removing the already used plate from above.
Knives are placed to the right of the plate, followed by spoons in order of use. Today, the number of devices and their location are not determined as strictly as before. Since the design itself plays a huge role, based on which, according to the idea, the teaspoon can be placed not at all on the plate, but, for example, next to a saucer for cakes or served only with tea. The forks are placed on the left side with the teeth up, and the earlier it should be used, the closer it is to the plates. This arrangement of cutlery not only contributes to ease of use, but also helps guests avoid confusion.
Original serving decor in the form of a plant
Dessert cutlery is placed behind the plate, perpendicular to how all the others are laid out. There, on the right side, there are several glasses. A glass for non-alcoholic drinks: juice or mineral water must be present. Also about 2-3 glasses, each intended for a specific type of alcohol.
Instrument location
Types of glasses
Let's start with something simple, everyone knows what a flute glass is, since traditionally, especially on New Year's Day, champagne is poured into it. Although glasses of this shape are also suitable for sparkling wines. The main feature is the elongated upward shape, which allows the foam to rise and air bubbles to play inside the liquid.
Red wine glasses are also easily imaginable for most; they have a thin stem, a rounded bottom, are quite voluminous and taper towards the top. However, the type of glasses varies greatly depending on the type of wine, for example, wine glasses for “Burgundy” and “Montrachet” have a much larger volume, more reminiscent of a ball or pear, tapering less towards the top. However, it is quite rare that people at home and not even always in restaurants follow such subtleties.
A white wine glass has a more elongated shape, more like an oval. Typically, two types of wine glasses are placed side by side, a glass or glass for the chosen strong drink is added to them, and other glasses are brought as needed. Otherwise, the entire table will be filled exclusively with glasses of different types.
Types of glasses
A glass for whiskey or cognac is low, with a thick bottom, widens towards the top, and has a simple, fairly spacious shape. The martini glass is shaped like an inverted triangle, so it's not at all difficult to recognize. For cocktails, straight glasses, shot glasses, or two-tiered glasses with complex shapes are used. If you are not decorating a bar separately, then it is better to place small saucers with lemon, lime, and olives next to the bottles.
Napkin placement options
When serving, three types of napkins are used:
- decorative;
- napkins spread across your lap;
- napkins designed for wiping hands or mouth.
Napkins that are placed on your lap can be placed on top of the soup plate, folded beautifully. Thus, when a person sits down at the table, he will immediately understand what it is intended for. On top of it you can put a small card with the guest's name or a sweet short wish. You can add a miniature flower or a piece of a spruce branch to the card.
Decorative napkins are usually placed under plates, sometimes additionally and between them. They can be folded into triangles, diamonds, or overlapping so that the colors intertwine with each other. In addition, you can also put small lace napkins under candles or glasses.
The most ordinary napkins are usually located under the cutlery, or behind the plates, but only one at a time. There should be a few more napkin holders in the center so guests can easily use whatever quantity they may need.
Beautifully folded napkin
VIDEO: How to fold napkins beautifully
HOW TO Fold Napkins BEAUTIFULLY AND QUICKLY
HOW TO FOLD NAPKINS BEAUTIFULLY AND QUICKLY?? 3 WAYS TO Fold Napkins
How to place glasses and glasses?
The third step in the table setting sequence is drinking utensils. There are several variations of how the final picture will look:
- Glasses and glasses stand in one straight line to the right of the person sitting, from largest to smallest (from left to right).
- Vessels for liquids are placed on the right side in a semicircle. At the same time, the farthest one is for water (if there is no pie, you can move it to the left side), the closer one is for wine, glasses for strong alcohol, next to the plate is a cup on a saucer for hot drinks.
The photo shows an option for the arrangement of glasses, glasses
According to one of the traditions, glasses are placed in the order of consumption - if the menu provides for a change of drinks, the farthest glass is for the first, then as it gets closer.
Important! Dirty dishes are removed along with plates and cutlery, with the only exception - a glass of water is always left.
The photo shows the correct arrangement of dishes, including a champagne glass and dessert cutlery
Boho style decor
The “boho” style is distinguished by its brightness and abundance of various interior items and decor; it can combine dishes of completely different styles, colors and shapes. The setting looks incredibly beautiful when all the wine glasses are made of different materials, some are blue, some are pink or green. In addition, this style is characterized by an abundance of textiles, that is, under each plate there can be several napkins also made of different materials; fringe and tassels are welcome, with which you can complement a monotonous tablecloth.
An important element is lighting; several lamps, lampshades, garlands can be placed around the table or above it, and candles of different shapes with unusual candlesticks or small lamps can be placed on the tabletop itself. Small frames and voluminous vases with flowers will fit interestingly into the decor. It is better to make bouquets from a mixture of wild and garden flowers, so that large heads of roses, lilies, and peonies can be seen among the abundance of greenery.
Boho table decor
What to cook in the Year of the Tiger 2022
The tiger is a predator, so for the New Year you definitely need to cook meat, and a lot of it. Pork, beef, lamb, all types of poultry - the variety will delight the owner of the year. But you cannot put game on the table - the Tiger does not like to share his prey.
Meat can be fried on the stove or grill, boiled, baked in the oven, etc. You can add cold snacks - cupcakes with ham, canapés, rolls. Meat salads and fish would also be quite appropriate.
When choosing dishes, it is worth remembering the habitat of tigers - from Russia to Indonesia - and reflect it in the menu. You need to add more vegetables and herbs, and use tropical fruits and berries as dessert.
The owner of the year will calmly treat sweets on New Year's Eve, but there is no need to take too many of them - 1-2 types of desserts on the table will be quite enough.
The tiger will not like strong alcohol on the table, but champagne, light wines, liqueurs and homemade liqueurs are quite suitable. From non-alcoholic drinks you can choose fruit drinks, juices, herbal teas and water.
Easter table
Easter decor is truly one of the cutest, because decorating eggs, baking Easter cakes and creating little bunnies with your own hands is a favorite pastime for both children and adults. The Easter table often looks stunning with baskets of colored eggs, candles and sprinkles on top of the Easter cakes. However, this is not all that can be thought of to create a beautiful festive interior.
You can make a small basket from a bunch of branches, an egg carton or any other shape. Place napkins and lace inside (which goes very beautifully with canvas fabric and coarse craft thread). You can also complement the decor with grass and flowers, both natural and artificial. And eggs, or parts of their shells, are placed on top, from which toy chicks, hares, or again flowers can emerge.
The table can be decorated with candles of different diameters and colors; low, thick candles can be placed in shells or on varnished sections of wood. Napkins, tablecloth, color of plates and dishes are best matched to the overall decor. Below are photos of Easter table settings for inspiration.
Easter table setting
In your home, your rules
You are not preparing for the filming of a cooking show - in your home you can afford to decorate the table as you like and any techniques for serving treats. First of all, this is “presentation with soul”, and not a boring, faceless arrangement of cutlery. And don’t forget about flowers, because with them even the simplest table will turn into a festive one. All in your hands!
New Year decoration
When decorating the New Year's table, several colors are most often used:
- red;
- green;
- white;
- gold.
However, it is better not to mix them together; only three colors should always be the main ones. It is better to combine gold only with white, for example, white tablecloths, beige napkins, white dishes, several of which may have a gold or black border, the pattern can also be in the form of specks. Transparent wine glasses can also be complemented with gold ribbons, white candles can be placed in golden candlesticks. You can add greenery to the bouquets; branches of lingonberries or spruce will suit the atmosphere perfectly.
Decorations made from fir branches are especially popular when serving on winter days; the photo below shows an example of how best to do this. They can be placed on the table between dishes, you can use them to decorate candles, or create a wreath in which long white candles will be inserted, which can be lit closer to midnight.
New Year or Christmas, celebrated in a red and green theme, is a classic. Checkered napkins, red tablecloth, fir cones, striped candy canes, Santa socks and white candles. This design is considered one of the most stylish and is quite traditional in America, where the New Year can be called the main holiday. You can also create a more relaxed design by placing brightly colored decorations on a crisp white tablecloth.
New Year's table setting
Another stunning color combination, just more suitable for Russia: white, blue, silver. This is where you can again use glasses and napkins of different colors. You can place small Christmas decorations with silver glitter, such as deer or Christmas trees, on the table.
What decoration is appropriate for a buffet table?
How to decorate a buffet table? Everything will depend on the reason for the event and the age category of the guests. The design will differ both in table decor ideas and in the snack menu.
Easter buffet table decoration
Buffet table decoration with peonies
Here are some tips on how to decorate a buffet table for children:
- The design can add a special charm to the holiday if it contains the plot of a fairy tale or a children’s favorite cartoon. You can use toys or tablecloths with appropriate patterns for this.
- Some desserts or dishes can be decorations themselves, supporting the theme. For example, snacks or cakes in the shape of boats at a pirate party.
- Every child loves balloons. They can be used to decorate the table itself by attaching cheerful colorful balls between the dishes.
Festive table in pink
For a wedding celebration:
- Delicate flower bouquets are placed on the table;
- A traditional wedding cake can be either a regular cake or consist of many small portioned desserts;
- Glasses and forks can be decorated with elegant ribbons.
The festive table itself is rich in bright colors and original forms of dishes, and therefore the decoration should not grab attention, highlighting the dishes, but emphasize the beauty and appetizing appearance.
Buffet table in rustic style
Buffet table decoration in silver
Holiday in nature
Perhaps one of the most beautiful types of serving is a combination of boho, rustic and natural styles. The “rustic” style implies maximum closeness to nature, therefore, for the most part, natural materials are used, and dishes and decor are chosen in calm natural shades. Wedding tables are often decorated in a similar decor, on which there are always many bouquets made in delicate color variations, the main elements of which are again wildflowers.
Napkins are chosen from canvas fabric and white lace, cutlery can be tied with beige lace ribbons, and glasses can also be decorated with them. An abundance of lighting is also characteristic of all three styles, however, the color variations are far from being as bright and bold as in “boho”. Often, garlands with white or yellow bulbs are chosen, which can be hung above the table or laid out on it; they can also be hung around trees or braided around trunks.
Candles or other lighting fixtures do not have to be exclusively white, but it is better to use pastel colors. It can be beige, light green, lilac, or soft pink - similar colors can be used throughout the interior. But again, make sure they match.
Table setting outdoors
Which snacks should you prefer?
The buffet table requires small, portioned appetizers. There can be many ideas for creating compositions from products, they are all divided into:
- Sandwiches;
- Tartlets with julienne or pates;
- Salads served in glasses;
- Canapes;
- Slicing;
- Vegetables or fruits;
- Appetizers on skewers;
- Dessert.
All these dishes should be small in size and can be eaten without the help of a knife, but the main thing is that the products in the appetizer match each other in terms of taste. Taste is the most important thing in snacks. And you shouldn’t stop at one product for a dish; it’s worth considering options for combining several ingredients that complement each other.
Buffet table decoration with champagne
Decorating a sweet buffet table
The design of appetizers is also of no small importance; originality and visual appeal of the presentation of dishes is encouraged. It is desirable that the color palette be rich and bright. I would like to see on the buffet table that one appetizer includes several colorful, and most importantly, appetizing flowers.
Wedding buffet table decoration
Buffet table decoration with candles
Serving Tips
Still, the main function of the table is a festive feast, which will not be so bright without a variety of dishes and snacks. Large salad bowls and hot dishes are placed in the center. Hot food is usually served on one large dish, however, this is not always convenient, so it is permissible to cook, for example, two birds, and place each one on a certain part of the table. The same applies to salad bowls; you shouldn’t put everything in one large one, it’s better to divide each dish into small, beautiful containers, this will be more convenient for guests.
In addition to the main menu, you need to serve snacks and a variety of cuts, the decoration of which will require no less attention than the table decor.
There must be fish dishes on the table, which are placed in special fish or herring plates, which have an oblong oval shape. Please note that for each treat there are special tableware that is used to serve them. First of all, there are several types of blades: pate, fish, for hot dishes. The salad is applied either with a special spoon, or most often with tongs.
Be careful and careful when decorating your holiday table, choose a style that suits your taste, and enjoy decorating. It is then that you will have a wonderful celebration that will be able to please and surprise your guests.
Arrangement of dishes on the table
VIDEO: How to beautifully set the table
How to properly set a table
Etiquette is a kind of code of good manners, which is divided into many subsections: professional, situational, business, social, dining and others. Olga Khlystova will tell and show you how to set the table correctly, according to etiquette standards.
A few more photos of beautiful sausage cuts
Sliced sausage should also be present on every holiday table. To make a beautiful presentation, sausages are cut into thin slices and laid out in the shape of tubes, flowers, or in another original way. Most often, smoked and dry-cured sausage, as well as boiled pork, are used to decorate sausage slices.
